Looks like the other ball has dropped:
Republicans could be getting a break in upstate New York, where state Assemblyman Greg Ball (R) says he will run for state Senate rather than against Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.).
Ball announced Saturday that he would make the switch. His exit clears the primary for ophthalmologist Nan Hayworth, who recently got in the race and has caught the eye of the national party.
Ball, meanwhile, has a flamboyant personal style and political history that rubbed some the wrong way. At the same time, he was raising more money than Hall and looked to be a formidable obstacle to Hayworth. […]
He will now run for the 40th district in the state Senate, a closely divided chamber that has switched control multiple times just this year.
Ball, as you may recall, was recently busted by Roll Call for spreading misleading poll results for his race against Hall. More curious, though, is his decision to run in SD40. The 40th District is already held by a Republican, Vincent Leibell, and I’m unaware of any plans for Leibell to retire. Ball may be just the type of nut, though, to capture the attention of the teabagging base in a primary fight.
The 40th SD is also marginally Democratic in terms of voter registration (by about a 70K to 67K edge), though Dems didn’t bother to put up a challenger for the seat in 2008. However, with Ball dipped into the mix, it might be worth putting a warm body into the race, just in case.
RaceTracker Wiki: NY-19
Ball is just the type to bring a teabagging-heavy primary challenge. That’s how he got into his assembly seat (this was pre teabagging of course) I’m pretty sure.
Leibell is a fairly liberal to moderate Republican who may vote for same-sex marriage. He needs to put pressure on him not to and not risk losing the seat.
He still has his eye on Congress though, I’m fairly certain of it.
Wasn’t that dude named Saul who was a zillionaire suppose to oppose him until scandal struck that one down as well. Hall seems like a guy with a good sense of humor as well, he should become entrenched soon.
I always have a feeling that poll could be tainted in the candidate’s favor. Thus whenever I do calculations to predict results, I completely disregard any internal polls. However, Ball vs. Hall does have a good ring to it. Being realistic though, I think John Hall has this seat for as long as he wants it.
this year when he wasn’t up for reelection. They were all basically teabagger slogans.
This is, in my opinion, the most hilarious SSP post title… ever. And I include Panic! At Tedisco in that.
In a closely divided NYS Senate a GOP Senator like Ball could really be a differnece maker.
Remember 1 Dem loon like Pedro Espada thew the whole place into chaos. Ball could be the GOP’s monkeywrench.
Most of the GOP NYS Senators are very displined. They just shut up and follow the leader (even if he is a corrupt crook like Joe Bruno) in exchange for pork for their district.
Ball doesn’t play ball. If the GOP takes back control in 2010 & Ball is the difference look for a lot of fireworks. I see him holding things up, calling out member items and making lots of enemies.
Could be fun to watch.
and why has she “caught the eye of the national party”? Would she actually be a formidable opponent for John Hall?
I think the emerging conventional wisdom is that a possible landslide for Cuomo would bring in more Ds in the state legislature.